Laura McQuillan
A few years ago Laura could not read; however, after several courses, she is now training to be an accountant.
Laura had a difficult time at school and she left with just one GCSE in Oral French. It wasn’t until she was 22 that she was diagnosed as having dyslexia. Before she could study for the qualifications she wanted, Laura was determined to learn how to read. She attended college, but was also helped by her husband and eldest daughter who was five at the time – they learnt to read together. She noticed the progress she was making when she was able to go shopping without needing someone else to read the labels for her.
She has taken a number of family learning courses with her children, but her main focus now is on accountancy. Already having first-class passes for Manual Bookkeeping Levels 1 and 2 and Sage Levels 1 and 2 – and having passed her Level 2 Numeracy – Laura is about to enrol on an ATT accountancy course.
Laura also volunteers at her children’s school, helping the children to read. Her own children are going from strength to strength with their own education.
Laura said, “Learning has made my life easier because I am not constantly struggling to understand things or read. Learning means the freedom to do whatever I want and to achieve anything I want to achieve. Learning makes you a better parent as well. Not enough parents do it and take enough interest. They should do it because it makes your children respect you. Knowledge really is power as you feel more confident if you have the knowledge behind you.”